Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal construction contract awarded

The Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners awarded a $13.3-million construction contract to Hard Rock Construction LLC for the Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal improvement project. Hard Rock Construction, of Metairie, La., was the lowest of eight bidders.

The 12-acre project will result in a modern and efficient intermodal container transfer terminal to facilitate the movement of marine and rail cargo, while enhancing safety and reducing the carbon footprint of the regional and national transportation system.

"We are thrilled to see this project moving forward," said Port President and Chief Executive Officer Gary LaGrange. "New Orleans is the only U.S. seaport with all six U.S. Class 1 railroads with 132,000 miles of connecting rail tracks. I want to again thank the entire Louisiana congressional delegation for their support of this project, without which we would not be at this point today."

The port received a $16.7-million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant in 2012 for the project.

The current project includes constructing a rail yard with 10,000 linear feet of track and five-acres of heavy-duty paving to be used for the efficient transfer of containers. The scope of the contract includes electrical, drainage and utility work, along with the installation of new water feeds to additional hydrants.

Existing rail lines currently moving cargo will be removed upon completion of the new tracks so intermodal service at the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal will not be interrupted.With the addition of new terminal equipment estimated at $3.5 million and engineering and project management services rendered by AECOM, the total project is estimated to be $21.013 million with completion expected in February of 2016.